JACKSONVILLE – Despite a seventh-inning homer from Griffin Conine, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp couldn’t overcome an early deficit in their 4-1 loss to the Norfolk Tides in front of 6,184 fans Friday night at 121 Financial Ballpark.
Norfolk (8-11) took the early lead in the top of the first against Jacksonville (11-8) hurler Matt Andriese (L, 0-1). Connor Norby led off with a single and went to third on a base hit from Heston Kjerstad. In the ensuing at-bat, Coby Mayo hit into a double play, but Norby scored from third to give the Tides the early lead.
The Tides kept their offense going in the fifth. With two outs, Kjerstad (10) blasted a solo shot to give Norfolk a two-run advantage.
Norfolk’s third unanswered run was plated in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Daniel Johnson walked and scored on a double from Maverick Handley, giving the Tides a three-run cushion.
Norfolk’s final tally came in the top of the seventh. With one out, Kjerstad blasted his second homer of the day to give the Tides a four-run lead.
Jacksonville’s only run came in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Conine (1) walloped his first homer of the season, cutting the deficit to 4-1. However, the Jumbo Shrimp couldn’t muster anymore offense.
Jacksonville continues their series with Norfolk in Saturday’s 6:35 p.m. contest. RHP Max Meyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp and the Tides will counter with RHP Justin Armbruester (0-2, 10.03 ERA).